MSU Signs EMCC All-American Colin Borchert
Less than 60 miles, in fact.
On Tuesday, the recently-hired Mississippi State coach announced the signing of 6-foot-8 forward Colin Borchert, who just completed a stellar season at East Mississippi Community College en route to earning third-team NJCAA All-American honors.
"I felt at home when I came to campus for my visit," Borchert said. "Coach Ray and I sat eye- to-eye and discussed a lot of things, and I had good vibes from those conversations. I just felt like it would be a perfect fit and the perfect transition for me and an opportunity to play a lot of minutes. I know Coach Ray has been there for only four weeks, but in those four weeks he's made a lot of strides."
Borchert, a native of Glendale, Ariz., helped lead the Lions to a 23-6 ledger after claiming the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament crown, MACJC North Division title and a berth in the NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship.
Under Mark White's tutelage, the 225-pound Borchert averaged 15.5 points and led EMCC in rebounding (7.7), blocked shots (1.5) and 3-pointers made (41). He also posted seven double-doubles, while shooting 46.7 percent (147-315) from the floor and connecting on 74.4 percent of his free throws (99-133).
He scored a career high 28 points against both Holmes and Chattahoochee Valley.
"I am really excited about Colin deciding to become a part of the Bulldog family," Ray said. "I put a premium on having a skilled four that can shoot the basketball and stretch the defense. Colin has that ability. I am impressed with the way Coach White utilized him with the offense and how they won and advanced in the national tournament. I think his ability to shoot will make everybody on our team better players because they will have room to go make plays."
Prior to his arrival at EMCC, Borchert spent one season at Yavapal Junior College in Prescott, Ariz., where he garnered third-team honors in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference.
In 28 games, he totaled 16.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks, while hitting 35 of his 88 shots beyond the arc. Borchert also recorded eight double-doubles, with his career high of 34 points coming against Scottsdale Community College. He also hauled in 14 rebounds on two occasions, the first against Glendale and the second coming against South Mountain.
"The skill level with Colin is what attracted so many people," White said. "Colin is very excited to be joining the program, and that's what is important. He likes Coach Ray a lot, and it looks like it's going to be a really good fit for him and Mississippi State. He liked everything at Mississippi State and felt really comfortable on his visit."
Borchert graduated from Glendale Mountain Ridge High School in 2009. He entered his senior campaign ranked as the top high school prospect in Arizona by one scouting service and was listed as a 4-star recruit by Rivals. His season was limited to just 16 games, where he averaged 15 points.
As a junior, he prepped at Raymond S. Kellis High School, earning honorable mention All-Arizona laurels after averaging 23 points and 17 rebounds.
Borchert, born on June 14, 1991, is the third player to sign since Ray took over, as the Bulldogs inked Jacoby Davis (Charlotte, N.C.) and Andre Applewhite (Memphis, Tenn.) last week. This trio is joined by newcomers Fred Thomas, Gavin Ware and Craig Sword, who all signed last November.